Hooked on You: An Annapolis Harbor Series Prequel, Lea Coll [love letters to the dead .txt] 📗

“Maybe it wasn’t any good?”

“No, it was amazing. Best sex of my life before he left without saying goodbye.” It felt like more than sex—but maybe he didn’t feel the same. Or he did and he freaked.

She winced. “Ouch. That sucks. But he’s kind of a bad boy, right? That kind of behavior is expected.”

Was Gabe a bad boy? I’d seen another side to him—a sweet vulnerable side—the one that wanted to be better, to be seen as someone worthwhile, and I knew he was. “I went into it expecting a one-night stand and it was stupid to expect something different.” He’s shown me all along who he was. We get too close and he retreats. “Remember, he thinks I’m too good for him.”

“He has a major inferiority complex.” She waved her hand at me. “He’s not used to beautiful successful women falling at his feet.”

“Definitely not.” Although, I didn’t feel beautiful right now or successful. I felt defeated, used, and covered in powdered sugar.

I was truthful last night. He deserved to be happy. He deserved a beautiful successful woman by his side. But was I strong enough to battle his demons? Was I the woman for him? I thought he’d already decided I wasn’t and it hurt more than anything.

My phone buzzed from the pocket on my hip. I pulled it out, checking the screen. “It’s him.” My heart picked up. I needed to punch in my code to get the full message, but I hesitated. What could he possibly have to say that he couldn’t have said by waking me up to say goodbye?

“What did he say? Taylor?”

I sighed and keyed in my passcode.

Gabe: I’m sorry. Can we talk?

I dropped the phone on the bench between us and Hadley scooped it up. “Oh, this is good. He’s apologizing. Think how good the make-up sex will be.”

I narrowed my eyes on hers. “I haven’t decided if he deserves make-up sex yet or if I’ve forgiven him.” I’d have to wait and hear his explanation.

“If you’re going to be with him you have to understand that he’s not perfect. He has baggage but it sounds like he’s working on it. Listen to what he has to say. You can always say no and walk away, but maybe he has a good explanation.”

“He’s scared.” I leaned back on the bench, taking a long sip of coffee, which was finally the perfect temperature, and ate the beignet in two bites. I needed the caffeine and the sugar.

“He is. You can help him work through his issues and sculpt him into the perfect boyfriend.”

“I don’t think it works that way. Once a bad boy—always a bad boy.” Didn’t all girls think they could change the guy when they couldn’t? That was reality. He was the only one who could change himself.

“I don’t know. I haven’t dated one.”

“You haven’t?” I was surprised. Hadley had wild and fun written all over her. I figured she’d been with all types of guys and enjoyed them.

“I’ve dated, but I think guys expect me to be one way when I’m not. I’m not as crazy as I seem.” For the first time since I’d met her, Hadley was subdued, the brightness in her eyes dimmed. “I’m actually boring.”

“That’s not how I would describe you.” She never talked about her history with men and I was curious.

She waved me off. “Enough about me. What are you going to do about Gabe?” She placed the phone in my lap. “Are you going to respond to that?”

I picked up my phone and typed: out with a friend now. Can we talk later?

I didn’t want to cut my time with Hadley short. He’d left my bed of his own free will last night. He could wait.

Hadley read my response over my shoulder. “That’s right. Girls first. We still need to go shoe shopping. Eat up these beignets, then we’re doing some retail therapy.”

“Sounds amazing.” I didn’t think I’d ever spent time with a girlfriend shopping before. I normally ordered everything online.

I tilted my head up to the sky, feeling the warmth of the sun on my face as I popped the last of my beignets into my mouth. That was the feeling I had the whole time I’d been in New Orleans—freedom. I didn’t have to rush home. I didn’t have to babysit Caleb. I could make last-minute plans for coffee and shopping with a girlfriend. It was amazing, and whatever Gabe’s issue was last night could wait. I was done letting the needs and feelings of others dictate my actions. I would put myself first.

I crumpled up the paper bag and dropped that and my empty coffee cup into the trash. “You ready?”

“Yes.” Hadley linked her arm with mine as we walked down Bourbon Street, looking into shop windows and laughing. She pulled me to a stop in front of the store, Hot Heels Boutique. “This is it. This is the store I was talking about last week. The shoes are amazing. If you want fuck-me heels or power shoes for court, come here. Elise’s taste is impeccable.”

I looked in the window at the display of colorful heels. “I’m in.”

We pulled open the door and walked in together. I sighed. “I can’t remember the last time I went shoe shopping and didn’t order online.”

A sharp intake of breath came from a woman walking toward us from the back. “You shop for shoes online?”

“Yes,” I said, carefully. “I don’t have time to shop usually and there are very few shops like this where I’m from.”

“We’re going to have fun this morning,” the woman said. “I’m Elise. What are you looking for?”

“Something that will stand out.”

Hadley squealed, dropping my arm, as she grabbed a red crocodile bootie from the shelf. “These are amazing. You have to try them on, and I know how much you love red shoes.”

“Alright.” I did. I liked my shoes to stand out when nothing else about my outfit